Backpack scandal trial stalled again
A PRELIMINARY hearing into the alleged irregular purchase of backpacks by the National Assistance Program (PAN), that involves former president Ricardo Martinelli’s brother, his fugitive former private secretary,. a fomer Cabinet MInister and a dozen others has again been stalled.
It scheduled for August 8, but has to be rescheduled because former National Assistance program PAN director Rafael Guardia Jaen has been held at Santo Tomas Hospital since July 21 and has a scheduled a doctor’s appointment, for August 8 the judiciary said.. Guardia Jaen has been detained since November 2014 by several processes for alleged multi million dollar irregularities in the management of PAN funds .
The previous hearing was suspended July 11 because various parties, had to be notified.
The alleged irregularities in contracts for the distribution of school bags between 2010 and 2014, led to a call to trial of 15 people, including 7 former officials ofthd last government and eight business people.
Prosecutor Vielka Broce asked for judgment judgment of both former directors of the defunct PAN: Giacomo Tamburrelli and Rafael Guardia Jaén, plus Julissa Stanziola and Abraham Williams, who worked in the institution.
HIGH ROLLERS
In addition, the prosecutor asked for the trial called of former Minister of Education Lucy Molinar and administrative former director of that agency Berta Roldán. She also asked the judge to prosecute Chichi Adolfo De Obarrio, Private former secretary of former President Ricardo Martinelli, both of whom have fled Panama.
The Prosecutor also requests the trial of Poulett Morales, Franklin Arauz, Pablo Ruiz Obregon, Roberto Luzcando, Roberto Brin, Mario Martinelli Berrocal (brother of the former president), Carlos Arauz Caneto and Jaime Antonio Ruiz.
